Washington, D.C. / New York / Montreal – October 9, 2025 — Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights, PEN America, and the Raoul Wallenberg Centre for Human Rights have filed a petition and urgent action request with the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention (UNWGAD) over the unlawful imprisonment of Iranian human rights defender Reza Khandan.
Mr. Khandan, a 60-year-old activist and husband of internationally renowned lawyer and former political prisoner Nasrin Sotoudeh, has been arbitrarily detained since December 14, 2024, in reprisal for his peaceful human rights work and outspoken opposition to Iran’s compulsory hijab laws.
The petition, filed last month, details multiple violations of international law, including the rights to liberty, freedom of expression, freedom of association, and due process.
It warns of the imminent risk to Mr. Khandan’s life and health as he remains imprisoned in Tehran’s notorious Evin prison, which was bombed by Israeli forces in June 2025, killing at least 71 people. After being transferred under inhumane conditions to Fashafoyeh prison, he was returned to the still-damaged Evin facility, where conditions remain dire and unsafe.
“Reza Khandan is being punished simply for his peaceful advocacy and his unwavering commitment to women’s rights in Iran,” said Kerry Kennedy, President of Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights. “His arbitrary detention is not only unlawful but life-threatening. The international community must act with urgency.”
“Mr. Khandan’s case underscores the Iranian authorities’ escalating campaign of repression against writers, activists, and all those who dare to challenge compulsory hijab laws,” said Karin Deutsch Karlekar, Director of Writers at Risk at PEN America. “His continued imprisonment sends a chilling message to all human rights defenders and prominent voices of conscience in Iran.”
“By targeting Mr. Khandan, the Iranian government is sending a message of fear and silencing dissent,” added Yonah Diamond, Senior Legal Counsel at the Raoul Wallenberg Centre for Human Rights. “This is exactly the type of case the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention was established to address.”
The petition calls on the UNWGAD to:
- Consider Mr. Khandan’s case under its Urgent Action Procedure;
- Issue an opinion declaring his detention arbitrary;
- Demand his immediate and unconditional release; and
- Urge accountability and compensation for the grave violations he has suffered.
The organizations emphasized that Mr. Khandan’s case is emblematic of the broader human rights crisis in Iran, where authorities have intensified repression of women’s rights defenders, journalists, writers, artists, and peaceful protesters in recent years.
ABOUT THE RAOUL WALLENBERG CENTRE FOR HUMAN RIGHTS:
The Raoul Wallenberg Centre for Human Rights takes on the most pressing struggles for justice, freedom, and democracy around the world. Founded and led by Irwin Cotler, former Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, we mobilize and engage a non-partisan, global coalition of parliamentarians, scholars, jurists, NGOs, activists, and students to take a collective stand for international justice and human rights.
ABOUT ROBERT F. KENNEDY HUMAN RIGHTS:
RFK Human Rights is a nonpartisan, not-for-profit organization that has worked to realize Robert F. Kennedy’s dream of a more just and peaceful world since 1968. In partnership with local activists, we advocate for key human rights issues—championing change makers and pursuing strategic litigation at home and around the world. And to ensure change that lasts, we foster a social-good approach to business and investment and educate millions of students about human rights and social justice.
Media contacts:
RFK Human Rights:
Amy Zelvin Reid, reid@rfkhumanrights.org, and Emma Gillett, gillett@rfkhumanrights.org
